Voice of the people (letter).

Retain The Values

February 21, 1994|By Skip Landt.

CHICAGO — I was disappointed with your editorial, "Let Harding skate in Lillehammer" (Feb. 9). This and much other media coverage has focused upon the obvious.

Under our legal system, Harding is innocent until proven guilty and she has yet to be charged with any criminal activity. Therefore, she must be treated as innocent. Let her compete. If she wins and is later found guilty, strip her of the medal.

But not so fast. Harding's participation in the Olympics is-or should be-a different issue. You agree that Harding's conduct was "reproachable" and that her concealing of evidence was "damning." Why dismiss the Olympic code and issues of unacceptable (though non-criminal) conduct?

We may no longer use the word "sportsmanship," but should it not still apply? This is an occasion to reaffirm community values and to acknowledge that poor conduct does not have to break the law to undercut athletic achievement and block personal ambition.